Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net income	$ 203us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 217us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 346us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	13	60	46
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax	0	2	3
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax	(9)	16	(10)
Other comprehensive income	4	78	39
Comprehensive income	207	295	385
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	111	76	80
Comprehensive income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	96us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	219us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	305us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net income	92	141	266
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	13	60	46
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax		2	3
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax	(9)	16	(10)
Other comprehensive income	4	78	39
Comprehensive income	96	219	305
Comprehensive income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	96	219	305
Subsidiary Issuer [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net income	92	141	266
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	13	60	46
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax		2	3
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax	(9)	16	(10)
Other comprehensive income	4	78	39
Comprehensive income	96	219	305
Comprehensive income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	96	219	305
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net income	217	132	348
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax		2	3
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax	(9)	16	(10)
Other comprehensive income	(9)	18	(7)
Comprehensive income	208	150	341
Comprehensive income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	208	150	341
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net income	(102)	126	190
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Comprehensive income	(102)	126	190
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	111	76	80
Comprehensive income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	(213)	50	110
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Net income	(96)	(323)	(724)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Net change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of tax	(13)	(60)	(46)
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax		(4)	(6)
Amortization and recognition of unrecognized pension cost components, net of tax	18	(32)	20
Other comprehensive income	5	(96)	(32)
Comprehensive income	(91)	(419)	(756)
Comprehensive income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	$ (91)	$ (419)	$ (756)

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Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income, attributable to parent entity. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments, of appreciation (loss) in value of unsold available-for-sale securities. Excludes amounts related to other than temporary impairment (OTTI) loss.

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